Totally OT - Stressed in the last month of pregnancy!

[LauraB78]

Hi ladies..   I havent actually received much feedback when I post a question lately, but here goes anyway...

I posted before about health insurance and the cost.. My maternity leave is FMLA ONLY, all unpaid and b/c of the way my company put together the health insurance package, we actually have a portion of our check eack week that go toward benefits, pre tax dollars.. They give us an annual allotment. Its so wierd, but basically they put money in our check tax free, then take it out for health isnurance, so IF you are a healthy single person, you are basically covered by the company.. As soon as you add anyone (dependant, spouse, IT SKYROCKETS to ridiculous proportions.. And the company pays NOTHING towards it.. ANYWAY.. I am due 1/18 and as of 1/1 I have to re-meet all my deductibles, not to mention my deductible for L & D alone is $1,500..

I think I am going to give my notice at work tomorrow. My leave was to be all unpaid anyway, and this would actually save me for the L& D deductible.. I have NEVER so much as even collected unemployment. I applied for WIC as well as I was denied. It seems like I would be eligible for so much help if I didnt work (at least for 6 months or so). So that it what I am thinking I should do. We are moving off the island anyway b.c we are is a seasonal rental and our lease expires May 31.. IF I opted to keep my job, then I would return to work after maternity leave on or around April 15th, just to move 5 weeks later. I need opinions and reassurance. I have NEVER been unemployed and relying on db is very scary to me.. Especially with our history..  I dont know what the right thing to do is. Is it wrong that I want to go on my state's health insurance to save myself money and stress since I would be out of this job soon enough anyway???

I AM FREAKING OUT!!

Please give advice! =D  Thanks

[LauraB78]

Hey all,

I gave my notice today.. My last day will be December 31st. The baby and I will be on MA health for a little while until we move, get settled, and I gain a new position elsewhere..

It is bittersweet. I like my coworkers and my job, but this is the best decision for me and Jaxson. Thanks for all the input!! I appreciate it!

And sweetangel, if you would, could you PM me and let me know what you meant by controversial? I am not collecting anything. DB is going to support Jaxson and I for a while. I am just curious! Thanks!

[ashiepooh]

If it were me, I'd quit.  As soon as you quit, you can go into DSHS to get on their insurance.  They will give you paper work and all, and you should be covered right away!  This is what my friend told me who works at a DSHS here.  For any state.  If you are pregnant, and don't have insurance, and or no job they will cover you!  They will cover baby for up to 5 years.You should be able to apply for tanif or something like that, where they will give you money each month, and you just have to pay it back when you are working in small portions.  They will also help you find a job after baby is born and your ready to go back!

Keep us posted on what you are going to do!!!  =)

[sweetangel7]

Tough decision...I'd just be SURE that you can get benefits before you quit etc.  With the economy the way it is and government assistance being lessened, I'd just cover my bases.  

This can be slightly controversial...so all I have to say in general is, good luck with your decision.

[Atia_Julii]

Good luck with whatever you decide!  And don't feel bad for relying on the system.  That is what it's there for.  And you are obviously not the type of person who takes advantage of it.  We all need help from time to time.  Your happiness is the most important thing to that baby of yours, and if you quitting will help with your happiness, than go for it! :-D

[Mumita]

I don't think you would get uninvited, just explain to your boss that you still would like to attend because you are leaving for personal reasons not job related reasons.  If she says no then she's the b!tch.

[LauraB78]

I hope so... Our Holiday party is Friday and I already said K and were attending..

I wonder if I give my notice tomorrow if I will be uninvited? Hmpfh...

[Mumita]

You'll see that once you quit, you'll start feeling a bit more relaxed.

[LauraB78]

I agree it would just be sooner rather than later, just a very scary prospect to rely on someone else not to mentin be unempoyed for the first time in my adult life, and moving.. Yikes..'


I just have way too much on my plate right now..

[justice6920]

Hmmmm This is a hard one.... I know how scary it can be to rely on someone else.... especially if they havent been to stable in the past..... I personally would say quit..... You can hopefully get on state insurance.... and some other assistance.... and you said you were moving in may and would have to leave your job anyways..... I guess it you would just be leaving sooner than later.... Good luck!

[LauraB78]

No, I wouldnt be collecting anything.. Its the same in MA, if you quit, you cant collect...

I am fine with that. I just need health coverage. K is picking up the rest of the expenses for the forseeable future. We are seeling my car and paying ot off and sharing a vehicle for a little while too.. Ugh..

[Atia_Julii]

If MN, if you quit a job, you don't get unemployment.  You have to be laid off or fired.  So, if you are looking to receive unemployment, I would definitely check on that first.

Good luck to you in your last month of pregnancy!  You are so close! :-D

[LauraB78]

**Bump**

[LauraB78]

I would be eligible for Cobra,BUT how would I pay for it if I am not working? I dont understand? I was told by the lady at the hosital here that as soon as I am not working, I would be covered. She made it sound like no questions asked? Now I am freaking out even more.. Pm me and let me know what you found out?

[Avanaar]

I know what you mean about responses being sparse sometimes!  I got one reply to my post yesterday from someone other than myself!  (I posted 3 times in my own thread lol!)

I have never been good with figuring out insurance stuff ... I do know that the insurance offered by the job I had in Florida with a childcare was pretty crappy.  They did have a great plan with BlueCross, but OMG ...it was *so* expensive ...I think it was upwards of $200 per check or per month (I can't remember ...but I only made about $400 per check ...so yeah...).

Right now, I'm on Medicaid because I don't work (along with some other details that don't allow me to be covered under DH's insurance).  I would much rather "do it on my own" than rely on the gov't for aid ...but I know it's only a temporary situation until after the baby's born and I can get my business started in February.  

If you're going to be moving off the island next year, it is pretty pointless to take (unpaid) leave then go back to work for them for a month and leave again.  Instead, use that time to be with Jaxson and to also look for a job on the mainland, so you'll be all set and ready when you guys move.

I know it's scary to know you'll be relying on DB and gov't aid alone ...but there are a lot of great programs that will help you if things with DB get iffy.  Hopefully he wouldn't be *that* much of a jerk and leave you and his son with no help at all!  But worse case scenario, your case worker would be there to give you help and advice on what to do.

I'll try to give you as much advice as I can!!  If you have any questions, just let me know!!  *hugs*

[kazwel]

Laura,  Just be careful  double check the mass bylaws.  If you are eligable for Cobra than you may not qualify for Mass health or Commonwealth Care.  I've just started looking into it myself because my Insurance runs out in 2 weeks if i dont go back to work.
I'm going to IM you my home e'mail address there are a couple of more things you may be able to do

:)
Karen

[Mumita]

I'd say quit.  I think the benefits outweigh the bad.  Anyway think about it, if your leave is unpaid anyway then you wont get paid until april and then only 5 weeks of work?  I think your best option is to get on state benefits until you have moved and were able to find a job or whatever.  If your DB is willing to help you out and he thinks that you should quit then go for it.  It will be difficult but it seems like a better less costly option than if you stayed at your job....